Hart: 'It's time for a decision, Governor'

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2005

With the help of courthouse staff, Midland County's district court judge is making it through. But he's waiting for a bench mate.

"It's time," said Judge John H. Hart. "It's time for a decision, governor."

Judge Robert G. Fraser was hired after the death of Judge Philip Van Dam in December. Fraser handled the criminal caseload on a part-time basis.

There hasn't been a visiting judge for the last month, and it's taken a courthouse to help out.

"I've been doing everything," from pretrials and sentencings, to daily jail arraignments and tickets, Hart said. "I can't get in enough time for even trials."

Hart said Magistrate Stephen Houseal took on the task of picking up late-night blood warrants, and Trial Court Administrator Jerome M.P. Kole has been signing warrants to keep the paperwork process going. Circuit Court Judge Paul J. Clulo chipped in by appearing in the district court's landlord/tenant matters.

Staff members are doing the same things they normally would, but have a more difficult time catching Hart when needed.

The next visitor to the bench is Judge J. Richard Ernst of Tawas, Hart said. The Midland County Board of Commissioners just granted an extra $10,000 to pay for the visiting judge beginning May 9.

Hart said the budget of $20,000 for Fraser ran out, and that was even with Fraser's reduced rate.

Everywhere he goes, Hart is asked when a new judge will be appointed. He's not the only one being asked.

"I think the government is dragging their feet on this," said County Commissioner Howard Schoenherr. "They could deplete the general fund … that's ridiculous. It's costing us money for every day they don't appoint a new judge."

The Daily News asked Granholm last week when she expected the appointment would be made. "Very soon," she said, but would not specify if "soon" meant days or weeks.

She said the state bar has completed its review of candidates and submitted it to her office.

If the appointment is made soon, any unspent money from the new $10,000 allowance will be returned to the county's general fund.

Hart pointed out that even when the appointment is made, it could take up to one month for the appointee to take care of matters at his or her office.